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Westbrook DepotPhoto: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Hall · Westbrook

Westbrook spent more per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar cities

Westbrook’s city government spent $1.4 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $2,031 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1.1 million) are counted separately.

Election Day

Today

General election in Minnesota.

Register or check: vote.gov ↗
Day-to-day spending, 2022
$1.4M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$2,031
In 2022: $2,031, more than 92% of 619 similar cities
Long-term debt
$1.0M
end of 2022, reported
City staff, 2022
10
full-time · 7 part-time · March payroll $68,211
Typical tax bill
$1,264
1.62% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Westbrook is run

Read from the city’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $2,031 per resident, more than 92% of 619 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer48% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Westbrook-Walnut Grove Schools with 6+ other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,264 a year: 1.62% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.
Compared with similar places

$2,031 per resident in 2022: more than 92% of them

Westbrook’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($2,031 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,111, and the middle half spent $740–$1,504. Westbrook spent more than 92% of them.

Middle half of the group, $740–$1,504Median $1,111Westbrook

Includes sewer and trash ($129,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
619

Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Westbrook itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $2,031 per resident a year, or $5.56 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 15%.

Where the money comes from
Utility sales 41%Fees & charges 28%Property taxes 14%From the state 12%Interest, fines & other 4%From the federal government <1%From other local governments <1%Other taxes & licenses <1%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $370,000; interest on debt $32,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $2.9 million.
About “Other”.30% of Westbrook’s day-to-day spending ($427,000) is filed by the Census Bureau outside the named functions above, so the receipt can’t say what it buys.
Over the years

No trend yet

Westbrook reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,264 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.62% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
Westbrook$1,264
$1,264
typical bill a year
1.62%
effective rate
$78,200
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Westbrook’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Westbrook’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Westbrook →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Westbrook

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Westbrook’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Westbrook yet.
Who works for Westbrook

One full-time city employee for every 71 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (712).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Water & other utilities7
Parks & libraries0 + 4 pt
Police1 + 2 pt
Administration & buildings1
Roads & transportation1
Sewer & trash0 + 1 pt
10
full-time
7
part-time
$68,211
payroll for March 2022
$818,532
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$66,600
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
1
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Westbrook had 14.0 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 457 of the 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 3.8: Westbrook had more than 94% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Westbrook-Walnut Grove Schools

Westbrook’s K–12 school district, shared with Dovray, Revere, Walnut Grove, North Hero Township, Dovray Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Westbrook →
$16,345
per pupil · MN $17,091
499
students
$121,000
long-term debt

Of the $16,345 per pupil, $10,244 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 23%State 66%Federal 12%

Minnesota districts overall: 30% local, 62% state, 8% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Westbrook’s votes are counted by county

Minnesota reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Westbrook alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Cottonwood County’s results.

President · Cottonwood County’s results5,988 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican69.4%4,157 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat28.5%1,705 votes

Others: 2.1% (126 votes).

Most votes in Cottonwood County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

100% of Westbrook lies in Cottonwood County. Every 2024 race in Cottonwood County is on the county’s page.

Cottonwood County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Westbrook

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Westbrook.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    District 21A
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
    Bill Weber
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Tim Walz
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Michelle Fischbach
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Minnesota
    Amy KlobucharTina Smith

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Westbrook’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Westbrook’s government

How much does Westbrook spend per resident?

About $2,031 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $2,031 was more than 92% of 619 Minnesota cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Westbrook?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,264 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.62% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the city’s assessor.

Who runs Westbrook’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Westbrook yet.

How did Westbrook vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for Westbrook alone. Cottonwood County, where 100% of Westbrook lies, voted Trump 69.4%, Harris 28.5% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Westbrook?

10 full-time and 7 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $68,211 (about $818,532 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Westbrook in the state legislature?

State Senate District 21 (Bill Weber) and State House District 21A. The House district also covers 119 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Westbrook’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →